One's a cop with an attitude, and all the table manners of a pig in slop. The other's a by-the-book federal agent who keeps a sharp crease in her suits and her eye on the regulations.

Can two law officers share a high-profile drug case without driving each other crazy?

Yes, there's a bit of every buddy cop movie you've ever seen in "The Heat." Also not a small hint of "The Odd Couple." And a whole lot of two actresses playing to type.

The plot has Sandra Bullock as the uptight FBI agent, going to Boston to hunt down a narcotics trafficker (and butter up her boss for a promotion). Melissa McCarthy is the detective on the other end, a proud Boston brawler who has a personal interest in the case.

McCarthy's just terrific with these kinds of characters -- loud, proud and in-your-face, usually with profanities so inventive they take a while to sink in.

Like most comedies, though, "The Heat" could use, well, more comedy. Bullock's character isn't very fresh (and has anyone ever really believed her as a woman who can't get a date?). The crime part of the story is handled perfunctorily, at best.

The script also indulges too frequently in offensive or racist jokes -- and then tries to get away with it by having someone complain "That's so racist!" It's a bit of a dodge -- trying to have its slurs, and its PC badge, too.

But director Paul Feig (who also helmed "Bridesmaids") clearly enjoys the spectacle of women behaving badly, and gives his stars -- particularly McCarthy -- plenty of room and improv time to knock back shots, bust a move and beat up men until they squeal like little girls.

And if the film takes too long to wrap itself up --and hints, predictably, at a sequel -- the funky soundtrack is fun and McCarthy's South Boston relations are a scream.